Sokka/Ursa

rating: T

The grueling hundred year war had ended just a few short weeks ago. Tonight there was a grand party going on at the Fire Nation Royal Palace for Zuko and Mai. An engagement party. It seemed everyone was happy but Sokka.

He and Suki had broken up a few days ago. Because Suki decided she was leaving him. Not because she was bored. Not for another man. It was a woman. Named Leila. That was just about the most humiliating thing that ever happened to Sokka. It wasn't exactly common for a woman to dump a man who loves her for another woman that she'd only known for two days. He gave her everything.

Sokka bought Suki flowers, took her out all the time, bought her presents, and even didn't put pressure on her to have sex after she had said she wanted to wait until marriage. He felt he deserved something more than a girlfriend that breaks his heart and runs off with another woman.

So naturally, because of his bad mood, he was sitting at a table by himself, drinking rum and looking out the window at the moon. He saw it as Yue watching over him. More than anything, he wished he could hold her in his arms and keep her forever. For he still loved her. And Suki. He loved two women that were out of his reach. Things couldn't get much worse for Sokka. He'd hit rock bottom.

Much to his dislike, Zuko walked over to his table, locking arms with a woman he didn't recognize. Though she looked eerily familiar. The pair pulled up chairs and sat across from him. Zuko looked as though he was about to burst at the seams with happiness. Sokka couldn't recall ever seeing him like this before.

"Hi, Sokka. I'd like you to meet someone. This is my mother, Ursa." Zuko said, proudly.

Sokka smiled and shook her hand. He noticed that she was very pretty, and also that Zuko and Azula bore a resemblance to her.

"It's nice to finally meet you. Zuko's said a lot of nice things about you." Sokka declared.

"And I've heard a lot about you, Sokka. It's nice that Zuko has such a loyal friend." she said, with a kind smile.

"Well anyway, I brought my mother over to talk to you because you looked upset. And she kind of has this special way of cheering people up." Zuko explained.

Sokka nodded his head and offered a weak smile.

"I'm sure Mai is wondering where you are. Run along, dear." said Ursa, as though she were talking to a child.

Zuko obeyed, and soon he vanished into the large crowd.

"You know, I have to tell you that you're very pretty. You don't look near old enough to be Zuko's mother." Sokka said, putting on his attempt at a charming smile.

"Thank you." she said, blushing a little.

"Hey, um...d-do you want to uh...take a walk, or something..." he mumbled.

Ursa giggled at how nervous he was. It was rather endearing.

"Sounds good. It's such a beautiful night." she responded.

They walked out into the courtyard and came to stand in front of the turtle duck pond. Ursa sat in the grass, and began watching the little turtle ducks. Sokka followed suit.

"I used to be able to just look at them for hours. Cute, aren't they?" Ursa said, her eyes catching a dazzling gleam from the moonlight that was directly above her.

"Yeah." Sokka agreed.

"Ozai and I used to talk here all the time when Zuko and Azula were little. Things were a lot different back then. Life was simple." she said, with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"I know what you mean. The war has sure had its effect on our family. I'm just glad that it's all over. And that I'm sitting at this romantic pond with such a pretty lady." Sokka said, smoothly.

"You're flirting with me." Ursa said, with a grin.

"Maybe.." he teased.

They looked straight into each others' eyes and found themselves leaning in for a kiss. But suddenly, they moved apart at the sound of footsteps in the grass.

"Oh, there you guys are! You disappeared on me. We're going to cut the cake. Come on back in." said Zuko, excitedly.

They got up and walked slowly behind Zuko. They stayed far enough back so that he couldn't hear them.

"Come to my room tonight. It's two down from Zuko's." Ursa whispered.

"Yes ma'am." said Sokka, eagerly.